Study of serum albumin level and its prognostic significance in scrub typhus in south east Rajasthan

Arvind Kumar; Khushalaram Choudhary; R.N. Meena; O. P. Patidar

Volume : VIII, Issue : I, January - 2019

Study of serum albumin level and its prognostic significance in scrub typhus in south east Rajasthan

Arvind Kumar, Khushalaram Choudhary, R. N. Meena, O. P. Patidar

Abstract :

Introduction: Scrub typhus is a zoonotic bacterial infection caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi. It is maintained by transovarial transmission in trombiculid mites. Aim: To study prognostic significance of serum albumin level in scrub typhus patients in south east Rajasthan. Method: Patients with scrub typhus were divided into three groups based on serum albumin level; Group I/Normal albumin (Serum Albumin level >3.5gm/dl), Group II/Mild hypoalbuminemia (Serum Albumin level 2.5–3.5gm/dl) and Group III/Marked hypoalbuminemia (Serum Albumin level < 2.5gm/dl). Patients were monitored for complication and outcome during hospital stay and data was analysed. Result: A total of 114 patients were included, of which 34 patients (29.8%) were categorized in Group I, 58 patients (50.9%) in Group II and 22 patients (19.3%) in Group III. Patients in Group III had significantly higher incidence of pneumonia (59.09%, p =<0.0001), meningo–encephalitis (13.6%,p=0.0146), pleural effusion (27.3%, p=0.0027), Acute renal failure (22.7%, p=0.0294) and shock (36.4%, p=<0.0001) compare to that of Group II and Group I. Duration of hospital stay (p=<0.0001) was significantly high in group III patients. Mortality rate was comparatively high in Group III (9.1%) as compared to Group II & I but not statistically significant(p=0.0959). Conclusion: Patients with marked hypoalbuminemia in scrub typhus had higher incidence of complications (Pneumonia, Meningo–encephalitis, Pleural effusion, Acute renal failure, Shock), Longer hospital stay and Deaths as compared to normal albumin.